BRADFORD MAN ADMITS MANSLAUGHTER OF MOTHER IN STABBING TRAGEDY
A man has confessed to killing his mother through stabbing in Bradford.John Makannah, aged 35, denied the charge of murder against Maria Nuni, 58, but pleaded guilty to her manslaughter during a court hearing at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.
Mrs Nuni was discovered in a snow-covered garden on Springwood Avenue, West Bowling, Bradford, on January 8, lying amid a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds inflicted upon her.
His legal representative, Graham Hyland QC, explained that the plea of manslaughter was based on a plea of diminished responsibility.
Jonathan Sharp, representing the Crown, indicated that the plea was acceptable.
Makannah, who is originally from Sierra Leone, is currently held on remand at Newton Lodge, a regional secure hospital unit in Wakefield.
The court was informed that he has not yet undergone a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
Requesting additional time, Mr Sharp asked Judge James Stewart QC, the Recorder of Bradford, to postpone sentencing by 12 weeks to facilitate further psychiatric assessments.
The judge acknowledged Makannah's mental health issues and suggested that a full Hospital Order might be appropriate once the evaluation results are available.
The sentencing was adjourned to October 4, and an interim Hospital Order under Section 38 of the Mental Health Act was granted.
At the scene, police officers responded after being called by paramedics, and Makannah was arrested there.
Witnesses reported that Mrs Nuni was lying in the garden of an end-terrace house, with stab wounds to her chest and blood pooling around her in the snow.
She was transported to Bradford Royal Infirmary, where she was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
